This study will investigate whether M. bovis is present in the "edible" tissues of 150 carcasses from cattle, which have reacted to the tuberculin test.
<p>This will studied by sampling reactor cattle sent for slaughter to an OTMS abattoir.
Lymph glands in the edible part of the carcass will be tested for M. bovis by traditional culture and also using a PCR method.
<p>Diagnostic lymph glands from the upper part of the carcass will also be tested in parallel with VLA.
<p>The study will also review published data on transmission of infection to humans and estimate the likely infectious dose by mouth for humans.
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The final report, "<a href="http://www.foodbase.org.uk/results.php?f_report_id=62" target="_new">Methods for the Determination of Mycobacterium Bovis within Edible Tissues from TB-suspect Cattle following Slaughter and Salvage</a>" is available at Foodbase, an open access repository of the <acronym title="Food Standards Agency">FSA</acronym>.
<p>Find more about this project and other FSA food safety-related projects at the <a href="http://www.food.gov.uk/science/research/" target="_blank">Food Standards Agency Research webpage</a>.